Specialist Dementia Living, Traditional House at Ixworth Dementia Village, Suffolk the first of its kind in the UK The Leaf Care Group has spent the last six months (October 2020 to March 2021) at Ixworth Dementia Village, beginning work on our next exciting project. Each house at Ixworth Dementia Village supports eight people living with […]
Category archives: Uncategorized
Singing and Rhythm
As other abilities fade, music remains Regular readers of our blog will recall that in 2020, we published a blog titled ‘Singing for the Brain’, where we explored the positive effects of singing. We shared how singing releases endorphins and how that release boosts mood and even reduces symptoms associated with anxiety and depression—improving an […]
People-centered Living
The Significance of Lifestyle on a Person with Dementia It is well-documented that human mental health emerges from a complex interplay between genetic, psychological, lifestyle, and other factors. In addition, people are also exposed to numerous environments. These environmental exposures (e.g., green space, noise, air pollution, weather conditions, housing conditions) might trigger mental disorders or […]
The significance of activity-based stimulation for those with dementia
Just as our body recognises that it is supposed to move, our brain too expects to receive stimulation. Joint movement and mind stimulus often go hand-in-hand; the more we move—the more engaged our brain becomes, and the more involved our brain—the greater our desire for movement. This body-mind link is no different for those with […]
Dehydration causes confusion, but did you know that confusion can be the catalyst for dehydration?
Preventing dehydration in people with dementia How much do we take for granted our ability to satisfy our own needs? When we are cold, we reach for a jumper; when we are restless, we go for a walk; when hunger strikes we head to the kitchen; when it’s warm, and our mouth is dry we […]
Keeping your loved ones safe in the pandemic
It is indeed my pleasure to write to you during these difficult times amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. I understand that you will be busier than ever supporting your loved ones be it the checking in with them and sending your love , or the providing of hands-on care, and I’m writing to let you know […]
Covid-19 and keeping safe using Compassionate Leadership
Keeping your loved ones safe in the face of a pandemic. On the 23rd March 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic forced a UK lockdown—a government-imposed ban on any movement inside the country and the closing of all nonessential businesses—as a way of keeping people safe and in an attempt to reduce the rate at which this […]
Behaviour changes in those with dementia Understanding triggers, keeping your people safe, and the importance of asking for help
A care home’s management of dementia is broad. It involves ongoing care, support, and evaluation from—and not limited to—in-house Health Care Professionals (HCP’s), families, social workers, nurses, GP’s, mental health practitioners, and Dementia Intensive Support (DIS) teams. Timely comeback from external support teams is essential in keeping both the individual and other care home residents […]
Nutrition The positive impacts of social dining at Christmas, and every day for people with dementia
Laughter, conversation, and the chinking of wine glasses were just some of the sounds that delighted me as our residents shared Christmas dinner with both their carers and their families at Ixworth Court Dementia Village. The cooking from our in-house chef filled our care home with delicious aromas that enticed residents to take their seats […]
I want to go home…
I want to go home Living with dementia and the desire to ‘go home.’ Just like you and I, people with dementia enjoy the time of others and like to be listened to. They need to feel understood, and they want to feel accepted. Home can be thought of as our safe-haven, a place of […]